What’s So Great about a Grapefruit?

If you want a juicy fruit that is larger than most other citrus fruits with a little bit tangy-sweet taste, grapefruits are a great choice. Grapefruits can be eaten by themselves, but they are also a great addition to other fruits or as part of a salad or salsa.

The riper the grapefruit, the better – not just with the taste, but also with its the antioxidant content.

Why You Should Eat Grapefruit

If the taste doesn’t appeal much to you, perhaps the nutritional value would. Grapefruits can provide the following health benefits:

1. Immunity

Grapefruits are rich in vitamin C, the vitamin that can support and strengthen the immune system. This vitamin can also lessen the severity of cold symptoms as it acts like nature’s histamine. Just half a grapefruit can give 78% of vitamin C RDA.

2. Metabolism

This fruit has become a diet staple for those who want to lose weight because it can boost the body’s metabolic rate. If you have a high metabolism, the body has the ability to burn fat even during the resting period. A study showed eating half a grapefruit before every meal can help lose 3 ½ pounds in just 12 weeks.

3. Kidney Stones

Naringenin is accountable for the slightly bitter taste in the fruit and it has been proven to be effective against kidney cysts. It regulates PKD2 protein, which is responsible for the formation of cysts.

4. Gum Disease

Two grapefruits daily can stop and even reverse the damage of gum disease. A study in 2005 showed that daily consumption of the fruit can lessen gum bleeding, particularly for those who have gum disease. Plus, its vitamin C can greatly contribute to oral health.

5. Cancer

This is probably the best benefit you’ll get with grapefruit. It is full of antioxidants, mainly vitamin C, which has been linked to a healthier body and more importantly, lower risk of cancer. Grapefruits may be able to repair DNA in prostate cancer cells.

Grapefruits are easy to incorporate to your daily diet. You can eat them on their own or you can juice them, since the fruit is made of 75% juice. You can easily get two-thirds of a cup and this can give you 98% of vitamin C – even if you consume the juice in a week. Grapefruits also contain fiber, potassium, folate, B6, calcium, and folate. All these nutrients are necessary for a healthier body.